Best Ultra Short Throw Projector (UST) 2024 – Top 7 for Home Theater

What is a Short throw, and ultra-short-throw projector?

Short throw projectors are those whose projection distance from the screen to the projector is between 3 to 8 feet. An ultra-short projector is one whose distance from projector to screen is 0.3 to 4 feet normally.

Best Ultra Short Throw Projector

In my opinion, the best ultra-short projector or short throw projector is way better than a TV because we can not only cast a massive 100+ inch image from inches away, but we can also play games and experience stunning 4K, or 1080p cinema.

The reason I say UST projectors are better is that most people including me like to place the unit as close as possible to the screen to save space and installation costs. UST also allows me to carry it around because most of them are light and compact.

With traditional projectors, there is always that issue of ceiling and table mounting and fighting through wires across the room. Ultra throw projectors are much easier to install and mount.

Check out my top picks before we get into the review.

Check out our reviews on the budget short throw, and 4K short-throw projectors too.

If you do gaming on the projector, read the following:

Before we get to the list, check out the latest BROOK WINGMAN XB USB or BROOK WINGMAN XB PINK which is compatible with all types of gaming consoles. I will not get any significant commission by recommending this USB, I am suggesting it because I use it myself with Epson 5050UB and PS5.

List of Best Ultra Short Throw Projectors (UST) 2022

IMAGE	PRODUCT	DETAILS
EDITOR’S CHOICE	Samsung LSP7T Premiere 4K	4K (upscaling) UHD image with XRP technology Easy installation and setup Easy OS and menu	CHECK PRICE
RUNNER – UP	LG HU85LA 4K laser Projector	8.3ms input lag on 1080p 6-segments color wheel. Versatile gaming modes.	CHECK PRICE
COMPACT	VAVA 4K Short Throw Projector	Latest DLP chip 8segments(RGBWRGBW) color wheel. 240Hz refresh rate HDR10 and HLG support.	CHECK PRICE
BEST UNDER $3K	Optoma CinemaX P2 Ultra-Short Throw	Short throw projector. Low-input lag of 16.67ms Preset gaming modes Optimized for Next-gen consoles	CHECK PRICE
HIGH END	Epson Epiqvision LS500	DCI P3 color gamut (50% wider than ordinary). 12 bit analog to digital video processing 3 AXIS MOTORIZED lens. 10 bit HDR	CHECK PRICE
PORTABLE	BenQ HT2150ST	120Hz display with 8.3ms input lag. Wider color coverage of 96%.rec709 4LED DLP chip. Preset gaming modes	CHECK PRICE
BEST FOR GAMING	Optoma GT5600	4k UHD project 8.3 million pixels. 240Hz refresh rate with an input lag of 15.7 on 1080p and 25.8ms input lag on 4K HDR content. ISF, night day and 3D color calibration Versatile modes like gaming vivid, moves, etc.	CHECK PRICE

 1.  Samsung LSP7T Premiere 4K – Best Ultra Short Throw Projector

 

With a throw ratio of 0.254, an image size of 120 inches, and magnificent 4K (upscaling) image quality, the Samsung LSP7T is the best ultra-short-throw projector on our list.

Why Choose Samsung LSP7T Premiere 4K?

Design of Samsung LSP7T Ultra-Short Throw Projector

• With 13.5 × 20.9 × 5.2 inches in Samsung LSP7T is ultra-sleek and elegant in design. It is minimalist with a futuristic look. The angles have a premium fabric finish. It is only 20.1 pounds in weight.
• The 30 watts of 2.2†audio built-in speakers are incredible. It will not beat a dedicated home theater sound system, but for projectors, the sound quality of the speakers is superb.
• The Premier has been designed perfectly to fit in front of the wall to convert any room into a whole cinema house.
• Fortunately, no mounting is required and you can easily plug it in to play around without needing a lengthy warm-up.

Connections & Controls

• 3 HDMI Inputs
• USB HID Support
• Samsung Bixby, Amazon Alexa
• Dolby Digital Plus
• Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
• ATSC, ClearQAM, & analog turners built-in

What Is the Performance of Samsung LSP7T?

Samsung LSP7T has a total of 2200 lumens but it looks brighter than a 3000-lumen projector, because of the ANSI lumens.

I believe it was necessary to cut the lumens to 2200 because more brightness can deteriorate the picture quality and compromise the colors.

This projector delivers a stunning picture with beautiful colors and decent blacks. The contrast ratio and sharpness are also good.

If I compare it with VAVA 4K, the picture quality and audio of Samsung LSP7T are far better, but VAVA is a bit cheaper of course.

The projector quality is better than QLED and OLED except for the blacks which can never be better than a TV.

With a 120-inch projector image, 0.254 throw ratio, native 4k, and incredible picture quality, Samsung LSP7T is the best ultra short projector on our list.

 2.  LG HU85LA 4K laser Projector – Best Ultra Short Throw Projector

 

I never review brand new projectors because lamp of the most DLP and non-laser-based projectors start to fade with time. That is why I waited more than 6 months to review LG HU85LA after purchasing it.

LG HU85LA was the best Ultra short throw projector back in 2019, it is a laser-based projector that can shoot a whopping 2700 lumens which makes it a great living room and home theater piece.

The good thing with ultra-short-throw projectors is that you don’t have to hire a professional to run cables in the ceiling because it sits directly in front of the screen. LG HU85LA’s installation is child’s play much like other short throws.

Why should you choose LG HU85LA:

Design of LG HU85LA projector:

The body is a bit wider with sharp corners and a matte white finish with gray fabric on the front. The design is modern and elegant. Built-in 5-watt speakers are behind that gray fabric.

The only button on the projector is under the bottom right side which is like a joy-stick key. It can be used to power ON/OFF, adjust the volume, navigate around, change inputs, and adjust the settings.

The four adjustable feet are also on the bottom to get in line with the screen.

On the top, there is a hidden door which is hiding the focus dial. A bit cheeky but effective. It keeps dust and debrief out.

Connectivity and Control:

Performance of LG HU85LA Short Throw Projector:

So LG HU85LA does produce a 120″ display from just 7.2 inches which is cool. There is no zoom or lens shift you have to manually place the piece which is also easy. Â You would need to place it a foot below the screen to get the full 120 inches.

Using the edge adjustment control you can use the keystone adjustment, but I won’t recommend it unless necessary. Keystone involves scaling which can degrade the picture quality.

In a pitch-black room, blacks are not as deep as Sony’s SXRD projector but fine for me.

Between VIVID and cinema, standard picture mode was a nice medium for a light-controlled room. For bright rooms, the VIVID mode is preferred because it is heavily saturated and heavily blue.

60Hz is the native refresh rate for the LG HU85LA laser projector which is why it struggled to smoothly produce 24 frames per second movies. You can use TruMotion to smooth out the judder, but the Oprah effect (SOE) will also be there.

HDR content has always been challenging in projectors, you can use dynamic tone mapping to access the specular highlights but at the expense of average picture level.

So this projector also has a game mode with around about 55 – 57ms which is acceptable for a casual gaming fan. The difference is noticeable when the game mode is turned off.

Overall, LG HU85LA is the best Ultra short throw projector in the price range with a ton of features. It is the kind of projector that you can put anywhere from the living room to the home theater.

There is little lack of HLG support but considering the features and performance, it is pretty much worth it.

Check out our guide about laser vs lamp projector

 3.  VAVA 4K UST Projector

 

VAVA 4K HD is gaining popularity in the market with its ultra-short projection using lasers as a light source. VAVA is the best high-end short throw projector for the budget in my opinion.

Not only does it increase the lifespan up to 25,000 hours, but it improves the image quality. VAVA projects ultra-bright, crisp, and colorful images despite not being a true 4K projector. Let’s be honest with ourselves, no short throw projector will be true 4K in this price tag.

Why you should choose VAVA short throw projector:

Design of VAVA projector:

It comes in two colors, white and black. It is compact and a bit heavy. The look is sleek and professional which I like. 30-watt Harmon Kardon speakers are hidden behind the grey fabric.

VAVA is using 92mm cooling fans and air vents to cool down the operation. Overall, the design is modern and rigid. There isn’t any glitch or problem in the design in my opinion.

Connectivity and controls:

 

Performance of VAVA 4K UHD Short Throw Projector:

It wouldn’t look as sharp and refined as a native projector’s image and understandably so, but the pixel-shifting technology does a good job of providing pseudo 4K.

Contrast lacks in HDR content and colors don’t pop much, but it is decent considering the budget.

I have an issue with built-in apps. Some of them don’t work properly like NETFLIX. I won’t recommend relying on that.

There is no motion interpolation system, a bit of letdown. VAVA operates at a fixed rate of 60-hertz refresh rate.

Overall, VAVA is the leading laser short throw projector in the marker and projects gorgeous images. Due to 2500 lumens, it maintains a bright picture which makes it one of the best ultra-short-throw projectors for daylight.

VAVA 4K is a decent short-throw projector that ticks all the boxes considering the price tag. It exhibits fantastic black levels and overall picture quality including bright images.

Gaming and HDMI content is also ok. I think I can easily compare VAVA 4K with Epson 5050UB in terms of picture quality. It can project up to 150 inches which is one of the best projector short throw distances.

Check out our reviews about Home Theater Projectors

 4.  Optoma CinemaX P2 UST 4K projector

 

The successor to the Optoma P1 has a lot of new features compared to its predecessor and it comes in white color. The design and connectivity are similar to Optoma P1 but price a bit less which is great considering Optoma CinemaX P2 has better features.

Optoma CinemaX P2 is a pseudo 4K ultra-short-throw projector with laser-based technology releasing 3000 lumens theoretically which makes it one of the best ultra short throw projectors for daylight in the market.

Why choose Optoma CinemaX P2 short throw projector:

Design of Optoma CinemaX P2:

It is a very stylish looking projector with a matte white finish. The combination of matte white and grey fabric is nice in my opinion.

It is a bulky and heavy mode weighing over 24 pounds. Ventilation is at the back of the projector.

Optoma is using high-grade glass optics lens for the short throw of 120 inches from inches away. Through ratio is 0.25:1.

Overall, the design is pretty much professional, neat, sleek, and likable with not many openings for dust and debriefing to get in.

Connectivity and controls:

 

Performance of Optoma CinemaX P2:

Like most short-throw projectors, P2 is also easy to set up. Use the smartFit to help you get it lined up otherwise it will take a lot of patience to get it done.

From the 15 inch distance, you can produce a 120-inch projection, but the projector needs to sit more than 1 foot below the projection screen.

Cinema mode is the best without sacrificing brightness for good color accuracy. The game needs some brightness, bright mode is way too bright for a dark room, and it would work fine in ambient light.

Compared to the Optoma P1, Optoma CinemaX P2 has way better contrast and black levels. SDR content is good but the HDR content is the talk of the show.

It is extremely difficult to produce a nice HDR on the projector, but Optoma CinemaX P2 maintains brightness with saturated colors.

I would recommend sub-woofers if you want to watch a movie in a home theater environment.

Gaming on the Optoma P1 was a nightmare, Optoma CinemaX P2 does have a game mode but the input lag is still around 66ms which is just fine. The problem is, during the game mode it disables the image processing including pure motion and smartFit.

With all-new features and increased performance, Optoma CinemaX P2 is still running Aptoid OS which is a pain in the ass for me. It is a washed-out version of Android so don’t expect anything good from it.

The current champion and the best ultra short throw projector is LGHU85LA with its remarkable features, but around $4k, Optoma CinemaX P2 is a great alternative if we can just forget that awful aptoid.

Overall, Optoma CinemaX P2 is a way better projector compared to Optoma P1. If you are looking for the best short throw projector and you don’t want to spend 6000 dollars, the Optoma CinemaX P2 should be your primary choice. It is also the best ultra-short throw projector for movies according in my opinion.

 5.  Epson Epiqvision LS500 – Best Epson Short Throw Projector

 

Epson Epiqvision LS500 is an epic laser-powered 4000-lumen short throw projector that is made for the living room. It a better TV replacement option.

Not only it is great for rooms with bright light penetration, but advanced 3-chip 3LCD tech will nullify any rainbow effect leaving a bright picture.

It also uses pixel-shifting technology to produce pseudo 4K images, but I don’t think most newbies would tell the difference between a native 4K and pixel-shifted 4K.

The ambient light rejecting screen comes Epson Epiqvision LS500 will nullify all the ambient light that falls upon it. The image will be completely visible even in the well-lit room.

Why choose Epson Epiqvision LS500:

 

Design of Epson Epiqvision LS500 short throw projector:

Epson Epiqvision LS500 has a very unique industrial design with a raised hood hiding the circular periscope lens compared to other models in the UST class.

It comes in two colors, white and black. I prefer black because it blends in with the environment. Epson Epiqvision LS500 is extremely compact and the finishing so super smooth.

Most of the connections are at the rear end.  Manual navigation and other connections are hidden behind a magnetic detachable front cover.

Epson Epiqvision LS500 comes with a dual-integrated 10-watt speaker, but I won’t recommend using them only. Hook your projector with an external source.

Connectivity and controls:

 

Performance of Epson Epiqvision LS500 :

The HDR representation is extremely bright due to the high lumen output of Epson Epiqvision LS500. The picture looks so good for a consumer projector.

Overall, the picture will be degraded if the brightness is high. The dark scenes were a little greyish and bluish with compressed shadow details. Use the dynamic contrast for deeper blacks.

The gaming on Epson Epiqvision LS500 is flawless. The latency between the controller and the image you see is extremely low.

In the real world content, colors and skin tones are more realistic and natural-looking.

I would also like to mention that Epson LS500 doesn’t feature dynamic tone mapping. It doesn’t adapt its tone curve to static HDR10 metadata.

Epson Epiqvision LS500 also has the unique layering technology which produces vivid colors, realistic skin tones. Deep blacks, and a brighter picture.

It is not Epson Epiqvision LS500 is the best short throw projector in the market, but it is certainly up there and worth buying.

24p playback without judder, flawless gaming without input lag, incredible cinema performance in standard cinema mode, and decent HDR content are some of the major selling points Epson Epiqvision LS500 short throw projector.

It is a great living room and a dedicated home theater projector. Like I said above that it is not the best ultra short throw projector, but is among the top 5.

 6.  BenQ HT2150ST -  Best Budget UST Projector

 

BenQ HT2150ST is a clean, well-built, small, bright, and beautiful-looking short throw projector that is made for gaming. The combination of 16ms low input lag, low fan noise, and balanced and realistic colors comes in just under $1k.

It also comes with built-in speakers which are pretty loud. I always recommend using external speakers for a better experience but it depends on personal preference.

Why you should choose BenQ HT2150ST short-throw projector:

Design of BenQ HT2150ST:

The projector weighs just under 8 pounds. It is not too light and not too heavy. The design is compact and easy to carry around which is always a good thing.

The lens is positioned on the right side with air vents at the front panel. The zoom and focus are hidden behind a small door on the top of the unit. The sliding door keeps dirt and debriefs out.

The full set of navigation buttons is on the top of the model. I love the sleek, glossy, and silvery finish as well.

The front and bottom feet are adjustable. Such small details help a lot in adjusting the picture according to the screen, especially for a short-throw model.

The remote control is big and spacious, it is beautifully designed with all the things in the right place. A BenQ carry bag is also included with the package.

Connections and connectivity:

 

Performance of BenQ HT2150ST:

I have projected it onto a 100-inch screen from 5 feet away and the image was as sharp and bright as the manual says, but I haven’t projected it onto a 300-inch screen yet. I don’t know if it will look as good as it looks on a 100-inch.

During the game mode, it read 100% brightness which is awesome, cinema mode was close to 90% and the rest of the modes were close to 80% which is more than welcome for a budget short throw.

The brightness uniformity was somewhere around 70%. The left side was a bit dominant. I don’t think it is a big deal. You won’t notice unless you are in a full bat cave environment.

Fan noise is extremely low. One thing I noticed was that colors were more accurate in cinema mode compared to gaming. Most newbies won’t notice it.

With low input lag and better image quality, gaming is seamless. I honestly believe BenQ HT2150ST is one of the best ultra-short throw gaming projectors. No complaints here.

I honestly find it hard to find any flaws in this model excluding the slight brightness uniformity which was below average.

The fan noise is low even in the game and cinema mode, black levels are deep, colors are spectacular, brightness is also decent, and seamless gaming is its main selling point.

The only negative point is the lack of brightness uniformity, but nobody is going to notice that.

It is a fantastic short throw projector which is my personal favorite. I highly recommended this beauty.

 7.  Optoma GT5600 – Best Gaming Ultra Short Throw projector

 

Optoma GT5600 is a hidden gem that provides fantastic entertainment on a 100-inch screen from inches away. It is a 1080p model with razor-sharp picture quality.

Optoma GT5600 is an elite gaming projector with low input lag and a 144HZ refresh rate. Most gaming projectors aren’t bright but Optoma GT5600 is a laser-based model with 3600 lumens capacity.

I use it in my living room occasionally where sunlight penetration is high, it does comprise with the quality is a little bit, but the image is super bright even in the sun.

Let’s discuss some of the major selling points, then we will get to the performance.

Why choose Optoma GT5600:

Design of Optoma GT5600:

Its design is like a small SEGA console, maybe it was on purpose because it is primarily a gaming projector. Anyway, the finishing and overall engineering are beautiful. The manual navigation is at the top. The lamp is at the top left corner.

Optoma GT5600 is not too heavy, compact, and portable. Overall, as a gaming nerd, I like the design.

Connections and Connectivity:

 

Performance of Optoma GT5600:

So the selling pages claim that it can project up to 100-inch images, well I have a screen up to 126 inches, and Optoma GT5600 projects perfectly up to 126 inches. So ideally, this product is made for small spaces or rooms.

The image is completely watchable even with the studio lights on if you are a Youtuber. I am using a CLR (ceiling reject light) though.

The image quality is decent overall. It is not the greatest of the images you will get at this price, but decent enough to watch movies and play games.

Black levels and color accuracy is also decent. Again, not too great but I don’t have complaints considering the price point.

Let’s talk about gaming, instead of purchasing it for the home theater experience you should look at it as a gaming projector. 144Hz refresh rate and low input lag is a dream of any hardcore gamer. I use Optoma GT5600 at full resolution while gaming and I haven’t noticed any significant change in the picture quality.

Honestly, it is a very good gaming projector with a top-notch picture quality having balanced colors. Colors look somewhat realistic with natural skin tones.

Despite it being a laser projector, air vents are installed to keep it cool, but it does heat up. I can bear it in the winters, but in the summers, it will eject lava. It is the only Con I can think of.

Optoma GT5600 ultra-short throw projector is one of those mid-range quality projectors that are suitable for everyday use. This laser-based model has a long life, it produces 1080p images with decent picture quality for the budget.

The main selling is the flawless gaming performance. I purchase it only for gaming I haven’t been disappointed yet.

Check out Our list of top-rated projector for gaming

How To Choose The Best Ultra Short Throw Projector or Ultra-Short Throw Projector

Before shopping for a UST projector or a short-throw projector, there are some factors and buying tips you should know about because these units are a bit different from long throw projectors.

After some intense research, I have gathered some valuable points for the normal buyer.

Throw Ratio:

Depending on the space you have in your home theater, you can either purchase an ultra-short throw whose throw ratio ranges from 0.3  -  4 feet, or a short-throw show projection distance ranges from 3 – 8 feet.

I would suggest purchasing an ultra-short throw because it eliminates the shadow and eye glare. It is significantly closer to the screen which saves a lot of space for you to install other equipment.

Short throw on the other hand also reduces shadow and eye glare and provides a very large image, but I wouldn’t purchase it because I don’t have enough space in my home theater.

Resolution:

Many UST or short-throw projectors feature pseudo 4K quality by pixel-shifting technology. Although that is not true 4k, a newbie would never notice. Some projectors like Optoma GT5600 are 1080p and they are not bad at all considering the price range.

If you want to experience top-notch resolution with accurate colors are contrast, Optoma CinemaX P2, Epson Epiqvision LS500, LG HU85LA are known for their stunning cinematic experience. They are a bit expensive compared to other models on our list.

I use VAVA 4K which is not only budget-friendly but provides a very good resolution as well.

Brightness / ANSI LUMENS:

It means how much ambient light your projector can bear. It is one of the most important factors of any projector.

You do want a bright picture even in the presence of sunlight, but too many lumens like 3800 – 4000+ can deteriorate the picture quality if the projector is in the mid-range price tag.

UST projectors may be small, but they pack some serious lumens in them. Although I don’t recommend getting a very bright projector, it would be better for you if your home theater receives a lot of sunlight.

Bright short-throw are also preferred for outdoor activities and business presentations.

From 1800 – 2600 lumen is the ideal choice for a home theater environment. Even the most expensive Sony and JVC projectors have low lumen input to increase the picture quality.

There are some models like Epson Epiqvision LS500 and Optoma CinemaX P2 whose picture quality is elite despite having a greater lumen output.

Connectivity:

I would recommend getting a smart short throw projector. It should have streaming apps like Netflix, Hulu, and stuff. Bluetooth, HDMI ports, WIFI, and android onboard are also a must nowadays. All the necessary ports needed for gaming and streaming are a must in this day and age.

I am a YOUTUBER as well so it is a big plus for me to have a smart UST projector with all the modern connectivity options and ports like wireless connection, WIFI, and Bluetooth so that I can connect it with speakers and headphones.

Gaming and Home Theater:

Being a gamer, I have many gaming projectors in my collection including BenQ HT2150ST, and Optoma CinemaX P2 because of their low input lag and higher refresh rate. I get to experience flawless gaming without any judder or delay.

The good news, these projectors are also great home theater units with stunning visuals and color balance. That is the whole point. If you are going to spend that much money on a projector, you have to be certain that your UST or short-throw model is good for both gaming and home theater.

Read my reviews on our top 6 models, you will find the one you are looking for.

Size and Portability:

Another important before purchasing a UST or short throw projector is the compactness, weight, and portability. Most people purchase these models just to save some space in their home theater.

It is not like UST projectors or bad or anything, but why not avail a more compact option which has also fantastic visuals and low input lag for gaming.

I would suggest a portable projector like Optoma GT5600, BenQ HT2150ST, and LGHU85LA if you want to save some space, you are a frequent traveler, watches movies, or play games with buddies in their house.

Wrapping-Up

There a ton of benefits of the best ultra-short or short-throw projectors including compactness, portability, we can cast a massive image from inches away, we can carry them around easily, most of the shadows and glare are eliminated by short and ultra-short throws, and most importantly almost all of the UST projectors have massive lumen output for business purposes as well.

I have carefully selected only those models which I have used myself and which are used specifically for gaming and home theater purposes.

While BenQ HT2150ST, Optoma GT5600 are more gaming-oriented, Epson Epiqvision LS500, LG HU85LA, and Optoma CinemaX P2 are elite in every aspect including a stunning home theater experience, VAVA 4K is more like an all-rounder. But, the award for the best ultra-short projector goes to Samsung LSP7T Premiere.

Before purchasing any unit, carefully read all the reviews and stuff written in our blog post.

THANKS FOR READING OUR WORK.